What Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Heating Engineer

Hiring the right heating engineer can mean the difference between a smooth installation and a costly mistake. Whether you're dealing with a boiler breakdown or planning a full central heating upgrade, knowing the right questions to ask ensures you're working with a qualified, trustworthy professional. Here's what to ask before you agree to any work.

What You Should Ask Before Choosing a Heating Engineer

Are You Properly Certified?

Always start with certification. In the UK:

• Gas engineers must be Gas Safe registered
  
  
• Oil engineers should be OFTEC certified

These qualifications confirm that the engineer is legally allowed to work on your system and has been trained to meet strict safety standards.

Tip: Don’t be afraid to ask for proof. Reputable engineers will happily provide certification details.

How Much Experience Do You Have?

Ask how long they’ve been in the trade and whether they’ve worked on systems like yours. A few helpful follow-ups:

• Have you installed or repaired this boiler brand before?
  
  
• What’s the most complex job you’ve completed recently?
  
  

This helps you gauge their confidence, versatility, and problem-solving ability, especially important for older or more advanced systems.

Are You Insured?

Accidents are rare, but if they happen, you need to be protected. Ask whether the engineer has:

• Public liability insurance (covers property damage)
  
  
• Professional indemnity insurance (covers mistakes in workmanship)
  
  

Make sure their cover is active and has a minimum of £2 million in liability protection.

Can You Provide References or Reviews?

A reliable engineer should have:

• Client testimonials
  
  
• Online reviews on sites like Trustpilot or Google
  
  
• Willing references you can speak to directly
  
  

If they can’t produce references or their reviews raise red flags, that’s a sign to proceed with caution.

What Safety Procedures Do You Follow?

Safety is non-negotiable. Ask:

• Do you carry out risk assessments before starting work?
  
  
• How do you handle gas leaks or carbon monoxide risks?
  
  
• What tools and procedures ensure safe installation or repair?
  
  

An experienced engineer will confidently outline their safety process and legal responsibilities.

What Does Your Estimate Include?

Before agreeing to any work, request a written quote that includes:

• Labour costs
  
  
• Materials and parts
  
  
• Any potential extras (e.g., pipe rerouting or valve replacement)
  
  

Avoid vague or unusually cheap quotes. Quality heating work requires fair pricing, and hidden charges can quickly add up if you’re not prepared.

Do You Offer a Warranty?

Ask about both:

• Workmanship warranty (typically 12 months or more)
  
  
• Manufacturer warranty on new boilers or components
  
  

Also, find out how they handle aftercare. A good engineer will:

• Honour return visits for post-installation issues
  
  
• Be available for support or follow-up questions
  
  

How Will You Communicate With Me?

Ask:

• How will you keep me updated during the job?
  
  
• Will you explain any changes or issues clearly?
  
  
• Can I reach you easily before, during, and after the work?
  
  

You should feel comfortable asking questions, and the engineer should be approachable, transparent, and responsive.

Need a reliable heating engineer in Northumberland or Newcastle?

Gas Wizard Heating offers fully certified, insured heating services with honest advice, fair pricing, and dependable aftercare. Call us on 07890 242485 or fill out our contact form to speak with a Gas Safe registered engineer today.